Eileen M Stratman

Eileen M. Stratman 80 of Kearney passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at her home. She was born February 7, 1945 in Kearney to Russell and Mabel (Albers) Johnson. She grew up on a farm with two brothers and two sisters near Norman, NE. She attended school in Norman through the 8th grade and later graduated from Minden High School. In 1963, she attended Practical Nursing School in Kearney, NE. In 1964, she became a LPN and practiced in Nebraska, Virginia and Missouri. Eileen married Gale Edward Stratman on November 1st, 1964. This union was blessed with three sons, Michael, Lynn, and Wade and one daughter, Julie. Gale spent 22 years in the Army as a MP and spent most of his service on the East Coast. Eileen and children followed Gale to all his duties stations including Hokkaido, Japan and Okinawa, Japan. When Gale went to Vietnam and Turkey, Eileen and children returned to Norman, NE and Hildreth, NE to be with family. After Gale’s discharge from the Army the family returned to Kearney, NE where Eileen worked for Country Kitchen and Kearney School Food Service. Eileen and family were blessed to have each other during the military years and retirement. Gale and Eileen decided it was too cold in Nebraska and moved to Mesa, AZ where Eileen worked at the Phoenix Airport Gift Shop and later did finger printing for Northrup and Immigration. They then moved to Maricopa, AZ. In Arizona, they spent some wonderful years traveling and playing cards with friends. Eileen was a member of the Maricopa Lutheran Church where she was chair of the fellowship committee. Eileen lost her beloved Gale March 5, 2022 after 57 years together. Shortly after she moved back to Nebraska to be closer to family. Survivors include her children, Mike and Chris Stratman of Omaha, NE, Lynn and Christie Stratman of Funk, NE, Wade and Kate Stratman of Kearney, NE and Julie and Daniel Stovall of Maricopa, AZ; 17 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; sister, RoseAnn Burchell of Kearney, NE; brothers, Leonard and Connie Johnson of CA, Harold and Marilyn Johnson of Hastings, NE; brother-in-law, Roger Stratman of Wilcox, NE; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by parents; husband; in laws, Walt and Sophie Stratman; sister-in-law, Joan Stratman; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jerry and Marge Snodgrass, Ned and Shirly Berkeypile; brother-in-law, James Burchell; niece, Jill Berkeypile; nephews, Jeremy and Mark Johnson. Her ashes will be joined with her husband, and they will be put to rest in the West Salem Cemetery near Hildreth, NE. Memorials are suggested to the Central Nebraska Veteran's Home. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Eileen M Stratman

February 7, 1945 - February 14, 2025